Health Benefits of Coffee

Did you know the health benefits that coffee contains? It is reported in many studies that moderate coffee drinking (2-3 cups a day) can have several health benefits. It is hard to put it all the information out there in a short paragraph so we have comprised a list of the health benefits from external sources.

Decreases Risk of Illnesses.

Moderate coffee drinking — less than five cups per day — has been linked to a decreased risk of death from chronic illnesses like heart disease, type 2 diabetes and neurological diseases. The study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found protective effects in both regular and decaf coffee, suggesting that it’s not just caffeine that comes with health benefits, but possibly the naturally occurring chemical compounds in the coffee beans.

Alzheimer’s Disease

About three cups of coffee each day might stave off Alzheimer’s for older adults experiencing memory declines. A small study found coffee consumption helped slow the progression of mild cognitive impairment, a condition that often leads to Alzheimer’s.

Skin Cancer

Coffee may lower the risk for the most serious type of skin cancer, malignant melanoma. A study conducted in 2015 found that people who consume four or more cups a day had a 20 percent lower risk for developing malignant melanoma. Past research also shows that coffee may help prevent other types of non-melanoma skin cancers. Decaf did not seem to offer the same protection.

Calories

Black coffee contains almost no calories. Fancier drinks that are sweetened and sold by specialty coffee retailers are often loaded with sugar and fat – and hundreds of calories that can contribute to weight gain. A venti white chocolate mocha from Starbucks delivers 510 calories – roughly 25 percent of an adult’s normal daily calorie intake.

Blood Pressure

Caffeine can increase blood pressure – but apparently mostly transiently. Long-term studies have found no link between regular coffee consumption and high blood pressure, a.k.a. hypertension.
“Still, for persons with hypertension it may be worthwhile to see if switching to decaf improves control of blood pressure,” said coffee researcher Dr. Rob van Dam, an adjunct assistant professor of nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health and associate professor at Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine in Singapore.

Cholestrol

Coffee beans contain a potent cholesterol-raising compound called cafestol. If you drink instant coffee or coffee that’s passed through a paper filter, your brew will contain only a negligible amount of cafestol.
But traditional Turkish, Greek, Scandinavian coffee and coffee that’s prepared via the French press method can contain high levels of cafestol. Studies have shown that drinking lots of these kinds of coffee can raise cholesterol levels. However, a large body of research suggests that regular consumption of filtered coffee does not increase risk for heart disease or stroke.

Disease

Preliminary studies have shown that habitual consumption of coffee is linked to lower risk for depression, at least among women.

During Pregnancy

Heavy coffee consumption during pregnancy has been linked to miscarriage and low birth weight. A developing fetus isn’t good at metabolizing caffeine, and research has shown that the stimulant easily crosses the placenta. To limit the risk, doctors often urge women to have no more than one cup of coffee a day during pregnancy (or two cups of tea).

Parkinson’s Disease

Studies have shown that men who drink a lot of coffee have less risk for Parkinson’s, a neurological condition marked by the difficulty to coordinate movements and body tremors. Animal studies suggest that caffeine prevents the death of nerve cells that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is a core problem in Parkinson’s.
In women, the relationship between their caffeine intake and Parkinson’s may be a bit more complicated. Research suggests that caffeine has a beneficial effect on women not using estrogen-replacement therapy, but not for those who do take hormones.

Liver Disease

Evidence shows that coffee lowers the risk for liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, though there’s no clear explanation of the apparent protective effect.

The health benefits (not to mention the caffeine boost) that coffee has to offer is quite astounding. The next time your drinking a cup o’ joe for the caffeine, just remember the health benefits it is offering at the same time!

Why Shop At Schraders?

Schrader Oil Co. has provided quality petroleum products and customer service across Northern Colorado since 1937. Whether you need something to quench your thirst, something to eat, or top tier Shell fuels for your vehicle, Schraders has you covered. With 18 convenient locations, Schraders is here to fuel your day.